Early Learning with Unlikely Tools

When my oldest daughter started pre-k, I thought it was my job to teach her all about her letters. Her teachers insisted I leave the learning to them, but I soon learned that common core in a Montessori pre-k class meant they don’t rigidly teach the alphabet or letter sounds. She caught up in kindergarten, but I was left a little disenchanted by what the school felt was developmentally appropriate and what wasn’t. Just for reference, in place of teaching kids their alphabet, they were teaching them about photosynthesis. Also for reference- my now 7 year old knows NOTHING about photosynthesis. I decided to take matters into my own hands and purchased a fancy writing/reading set which is sitting in the corner collecting dust. Right before that, I had a Play-Doh Cookie Monster alphabet set where she learned about the shape of her letters and made alphabet soup for Cookie Monster. It’s funny how after all these year, the simpler toy (Play-Doh) is still used by all three of my kids. Kids love Play-Doh, and I don’t blame them- the distinct smell from a fresh can of Play-Doh, the ability to create anything you can dream up- what’s there not to love? On top of that, I’m a firm believer on teaching with Play-Doh, even the most unlikely topics, like the letters in the alphabet!

The Play-Doh Shape & Learn set is perfect for my 4 year old who is finishing up pre-k in June. In the new school she’s in, her teacher has not only introduced letters, sounds, and writing, but my 4 year old is learning how to spell words and is on the right path to reading. She’s eager to learn how to read and we are working with her as a family to foster her abilities. With the Play-Doh Shape & Learn set, she can create letters and line them up with common pictures that teach basic examples of what the letter stands for, like D is for Dog. She’s also learning about emotions and reading faces to understand how someone feels. While this is something even my 1 1/2 year old is able to do, it helps to have a visual we can mold, customize, and play with in  the Play-Doh Shape & Learn set.

There are no limits when it comes to Play-Doh. Whether it’s for learning or fun time, kids and adults alike enjoy the tactile experience Play-Doh has to offer. My girls created video of them playing with this new set. You can check out their blog at SuperKidsReviews and view their video below: